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cnbc.com
Iran's speaker says negotiations with U.S. can't start without Lebanon ceasefire, asset release
President Trump is frustrated by Iran continuing to throttle most shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, the world's most important oil route.
theguardian.com
Anthropic’s new AI tool has implications for us all – whether we can use it or not | Shakeel Hashim
Claude Mythos’s apparent superhuman hacking abilities are alarming experts as the Trump administration remains blinded by hostilityIn June 2024, a cyber-attack on a pathology services company caused chaos across London’s hospitals. More than 10,000 appointments were cancelled. Blood shortages followed and delays to blood tests led to a patient’s death.Lethal cyber-attacks like this are thankfully rare. But a new AI release could change that – plunging us into a terrifying new world of chaos and disruption to the digital systems that we rely on.Shakeel Hashim is the editor of Transformer, a publication about the power and politics of transformative AI Continue reading...
cnbc.com
White House warned staff against Iran war bets on prediction markets
The warning came after a flurry of unusual activity on oil and stock futures markets shortly before President Trump said he would pause attacks on Iran.
cnbc.com
Michael Burry says he's still betting against Palantir after Trump post boosts stock
The investor of the "Big Short" fame said he continues to hold long-dated put options on the artificial intelligence software firm.
cnbc.com
U.S. oil slips below $100 as Trump demands reopening of Strait of Hormuz
U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday warned Iran to "stop now" if it was charging tankers to transit the Strait of Hormuz.
cnbc.com
Trump praises Palantir with stock down 14% this week as Iran conflict drags on
Palantir's Maven platform have reportedly been used in the U.S. military campaign in Iran.
cnbc.com
Powell, Bessent discussed Anthropic's Mythos AI cyber threat with major U.S. banks
Anthropic rolled out the new Mythos AI model to a select group of companies over concerns that hackers could exploit its capabilities.
bbc.com
Soaring pump prices drive US inflation to highest level in almost two years
A surge in prices at the pump due to the Iran war has pushed the inflation rate to 3.3%.
cnbc.com
Ireland gridlocked by fuel protests as Iran war drives prices higher
Protestors are taking issue with the government's response to the spike in fuel prices since the onset of the Iran war.
cnbc.com
What's at stake ahead of crucial U.S.-Iran peace talks as leaders meet in Pakistan
Already, Tehran has accused Israel of violating the terms of the ceasefire, as the IDF continues to attack Hezbollah in Lebanon.
bbc.com
How many ships are crossing the Strait of Hormuz?
Only a few vessels have crossed the strait since the US-Iran ceasefire deal, according to BBC Verify analysis.
theguardian.com
Fears of UK and EU flight cancellations as airports warn of jet fuel shortages
Summer holidays could be hit unless oil flows through strait of Hormuz recommence within three weeksAirports have warned that jet fuel could run short within three weeks in Europe if oil supplies do not start to flow through the strait of Hormuz, raising concerns over flight cancellations in the UK and EU going into the summer holiday season.Jet fuel shortages will become so acute without the resumption of supplies from the Middle East that cancellations across Europe will be inevitable, disrupting travel plans for potentially millions of passengers. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
European stocks end higher, defense shares tumble on Ukraine-Russia deal progress reports
Shares in Europe closed higher on Friday as the fragile ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran continues to test investors' nerves.
cnbc.com
Consumer sentiment hits record low, inflation fears rise amid Iran war
The university's headline index of consumer sentiment tumbled to 47.6, down 10.7% from March to its lowest on record.
bbc.com
EU fingerprint and photo travel rules come into force
The EU's much-delayed Entry/Exit System will change the way UK passengers travel to 29 countries.
theguardian.com
Starbucks’s retail arm gets £13.7m tax credit even as sales increase
Credit can be used to offset future bills as full-year losses at UK division widen to £41.3m and it adds 92 storesStarbucks’s UK retail arm received a £13.7m corporation tax credit last year, even as its sales increased 6% and it added more than 90 stores.The credit, which can be used to offset future tax bills, comes after losses widened to £41.3m in the 12 months to the end of September – almost matching the £40m it paid in royalty and licence fees to its parent company. Continue reading...
bbc.com
EU airline industry warns of fuel shortages if Strait of Hormuz stays closed
The trade body for European airports said if the Strait of Hormuz did not open in the next three weeks, there could be shortages.
cnbc.com
Airports could face a jet fuel crunch within 3 weeks as airlines weigh flight cancellations
Europe's Airport Industry said if the Strait of Hormuz doesn't reopen "systemic jet fuel shortage is set to become a reality for the EU."
cnbc.com
CoreWeave stock pops 11% on deal to power Anthropic's Claude
The deal comes one day after Meta committed an additional $21 billion in spending to the cloud provider as AI demand continues to soar.
cnbc.com
China's Xi invokes 'threat' of Taiwan independence in first cross-strait opposition talks in a decade
Xi Jinping hosted Taiwan's main opposition leader in Beijing for the first time in a decade, ahead of a high-stakes meeting with Trump in May and Taiwan's presidential election in 2028.
cnbc.com
TSMC posts 35% jump in revenue to new record high as AI chip demand stays strong
TSMC is benefiting from sustained demand for advanced semiconductors from its key customers like Apple and Nvidia.
cnbc.com
Defense's Silicon Valley pivot: Ukraine, Iran wars challenge the legacy playbook
Companies are betting on a new type of warfare, based on shorter lead times that allow for rapid deployments and more cost-effective solutions.
cnbc.com
Consumer prices rose 3.3% in March, as energy prices spiked due to Iran conflict
The consumer price index was expected to show a 3.3% year-over-year gain in March, according to the Dow Jones consensus.
bbc.com
Dolce & Gabbana co-founder steps down as chair
The bold and sensual fashion house has been struggling with debt amidst a slowdown in global luxury spending.
theguardian.com
US inflation soars in March as war on Iran drives economy into uncertainty
Prices were up 3.3% over the year, adding to the unpredictability that first came with Trump tariffsSign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxUS inflation soared in March amid the US-Israel war with Iran, with prices up 0.9% compared with last month and 3.3% over the year, according to new data released on Friday.The spike in the consumer price index (CPI), which measures the price of a basket of goods and services, is the largest in nearly two years and the first official measure of how the conflict has affected US consumer prices, particularly as Iran blocked the strait of Hormuz, through which a fifth of the world’s oil and gas would typically pass. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
China built resilience to an energy shock — it's paid off for Chinese assets amid the Iran war
Chinese assets emerged as an unlikely bastion of stability during a period where other traditional havens, such as gold and U.S. Treasurys, stumbled.
theguardian.com
Amazon to finally launch Leo satellite internet in ‘mid-2026’, says CEO
Andy Jassy tells shareholders that long-awaited rival to Elon Musk’s Starlink is ‘on the verge’ of going live Business live – latest updatesAmazon has said its long-awaited satellite internet rival to Elon Musk’s Starlink will finally go live in “mid-2026”.The chief executive, Andy Jassy, said in a letter to shareholders that the technology company was “on the verge of launching Amazon Leo” and had secured “revenue commitments from enterprises and governments” for the scheme. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
These enormous wind turbine projects would damage Wales – and all to supply the rest of the UK with energy | Simon Jenkins
Labour’s deals with private companies will ride roughshod over a wilderness so remote there are no people to defend itYes, the world is getting hotter, and yes, Britain should produce more renewable energy. But what should be the price of that principle?The Cambrian mountains in mid-Wales are the national park that never was. In the 1950s, when the official designations were declared, Wales was awarded Eryri (Snowdonia), the Pembrokeshire coast and the Brecon Beacons. The Cambrians were larger and grander than the Beacons, but less accessible and therefore less important. Three parks were thought enough for Wales.Simon Jenkins is a Guardian columnist Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Iran attacks on crucial Saudi pipeline and production facilities slash kingdom's oil output
The damage to Saudi infrastructure will only compound the disruption to global oil supplies trigged by Iran's attacks on tankers in the Strait of Hormuz.
cnbc.com
The Trump administration is getting angry as EU Big Tech fines top $7 billion in 2 years
The European Commission and Trump administration are increasingly clashing over the bloc's actions against U.S. tech companies.
theguardian.com
Bullying might work when you’re 12. Does it work when you’re president? | Dave Schilling
Trump’s missile-rattling isn’t helping anyone. At least that makes it easier to explain the world to my kidWere you bullied as a child? If so, congratulations. You are probably pretty interesting, or maybe you have an extreme body odor problem. Either way, you were noticeable enough to warrant being picked on by someone with extreme self-loathing or an even worse body odor problem. That’s the nature of bullying, though. The fact that you’re a target at all is a sign that something about you is remarkable. Total feckless duds don’t get bullied; they fade into the background, then become Democratic senators.The aim of the bully is to bring down someone they’re threatened by, to assert their dominance over a person who reflects their insecurities back on them so that they might feel more powerful while applying a vicious wedgie. I wasn’t bullied so much as teased verbally for being eccentric, biracial, vegetarian and not particularly tough. I also had a lisp thanks to having a gap in my front teeth for years prior to my parents mercifully getting me braces in middle school. I was an easy punchline for anyone looking to score points during lunch in the quad.Dave Schilling is a Los Angeles-based writer and humorist Continue reading...
cnbc.com
The Tech Download: Reputational damage, supply chain issues and local investment. What's next for Middle East tech?
A two-week ceasefire was agreed between the U.S. and Iran on Wednesday, prompting hopes of the beginnings of the end of the conflict.
bbc.com
Will UK petrol and diesel prices start going down?
UK petrol prices have risen because of the US-Israel war with Iran but the ceasefire could see prices drop.
theguardian.com
Argentina just ripped up its pioneering glacier law. What does this mean for millions of people’s drinking water?
Javier Milei’s reforms to the law will open up high-altitude areas to mining and risk water reserves already strained by the climate crisis, say activistsSaul Zeballos was born and raised in Jáchal, a community tucked into the foothills of the Andes in Argentina, drinking water from the river that bears the town’s name. That changed in 2005, when the Veladero gold and silver mine started operating in San Juan province.A decade later, a major cyanide spill from the mine polluted the rivers in the San Juan region, raising fears it could affect waterways downstream in the Jáchal basin, although further studies have shown that cyanide levels remained at safe levels. Two further spills were reported in 2016 and 2017 and are still under investigation. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Dolce & Gabbana says co-founder Stefano Gabbana has quit as chair
Designer who left fashion house in January said to be considering options for his 40% stake ahead of talks with lendersStefano Gabbana left his post as the chair of Dolce & Gabbana at the start of this year, the fashion house he co-founded with his then partner, Domenico Dolce, has said.The Italian luxury brand said Gabbana had tendered his resignation, effective as of 1 January, “as part of a natural evolution of its organisational structure and governance”. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Alibaba just revealed it’s behind a viral AI video model dominating leaderboards
A mysterious AI video model that has ascended global leaderboards has been confirmed as a project under Alibaba.
cnbc.com
Behind China's 'active efforts' for an Iran ceasefire: Business trumps politics
The big risk for Beijing is that the Iran war drags down global demand for the exports that are driving China's economic growth.
theguardian.com
‘An abomination’: the Lancashire town kicking up a stink over reopened landfill
Residents of Fleetwood say continuous foul smell from Transwaste site is causing illness and making life hellIn the week that many families went to the coast for the fresh sea air or the tang of fish and chips, visitors to one Lancashire resort inhaled a rather more unpleasant aroma.“Welcome to Fleetwood,” read the local newspaper headline. “The town that smells of bin juice.” Continue reading...
theguardian.com
US summons bank bosses over cyber risks from Anthropic’s latest AI model
Fed chair Jerome Powell reportedly attends meeting in Washington following release of Claude MythosThe US Treasury secretary, Scott Bessent, summoned major American bank chiefs to a meeting in Washington this week amid concerns over the cyber risks posed by Anthropic’s latest AI model, according to reports.Jerome Powell, chair of the Rederal Reserve, was said to have been among those gathered at the Treasury headquarters for the meeting after the release of the Claude Mythos AI model that Anthropic says poses unprecedented cybersecurity risks. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Starmer says he is ‘fed up’ with Trump and Putin’s impact on UK energy costs
PM appears to draw comparison between Russian and US leaders’ actions and calls for plan to restore Hormuz strait shippingUK politics live – latest updatesMiddle East crisis – live updatesKeir Starmer has said he is “fed up” with the effect that Donald Trump’s actions in the Middle East are having on the British public, while appearing to draw a comparison between the US president and Vladimir Putin.Speaking to ITV’s Robert Peston on Thursday, the prime minister said: “I’m fed up with the fact that families across the country see their bills go up and down on energy, businesses’ bills go up and down on energy because of the actions of Putin or Trump across the world.” Continue reading...
theguardian.com
AI products are reaching further into our lives. Does it matter who controls the companies behind them? | Van Badham
Every organisation needs guardrails that channel them away from human fallibility and collectively minimise the harm they can doFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe joke on the internet asks: “What are the seven most terrifying words in the English language?” The answer: “Ronan Farrow’s been asking questions about you.”The investigative journalist has a piece in The New Yorker this week, where the subject of said inquiries is Sam Altman, the billionaire founder and CEO of OpenAI, the company that owns ChatGPT. Continue reading...
bbc.com
This coat cost $248 in illegal tariffs. Will he ever get the money back?
Importers are in line for tariff refunds. But whether everyone who paid the for the tariffs will get money back is a trickier question.
cnbc.com
Eli Lilly market share drops, Novo Nordisk holds firm as generic weight-loss drugs flood India
Eli Lilly loses share in India’s GLP‑1 market as cheap semaglutide generics surge, while Novo holds steady after deep price cuts to defend Ozempic, Wegovy.
cnbc.com
What this real-world oil price says about the level of stress in the energy market
Energy analysts warn that the Iran ceasefire is not likely to alleviate acute signs of stress in the physical oil market.
theguardian.com
Welcome to Y’all Street: bullish Dallas aims to steal New York’s financial crown
Texas city believes loose rules and low taxes will make the US’s biggest banks come running – can it pull it off?As the warm sun rises over the Dallas skyline, SUVs and pickup trucks whiz past an unassuming construction site that is helping cement the city’s Texas-sized financial ambitions.Nestled between towers claimed by Bank of America and JP Morgan, Goldman Sachs has cordoned off 800,000 sq ft for a new Dallas campus able to host more than 5,000 staff. But the $700m (£530m) project is more than a regional expansion plan by one of America’s largest banks. It is another win for the lobbyists behind Dallas’s “Y’all Street” – the Texan city’s aggressive push to steal New York’s financial crown. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Canalside homes for sale in England and Scotland – in pictures
From a modernist townhouse in London to a historic farmhouse overlooking Bridgewater canal Continue reading...
bbc.com
How families can get crisis support to heat homes
A crisis fund is going to support community groups who help people struggling to heat their homes.
bbc.com
Furniture poverty on the rise, charity says
The Harrogate-based charity warns donations of furniture are falling while demand continues to grow.
cnbc.com
Keir Starmer: 'I'm fed up' with Trump and Putin affecting UK energy costs
Iran has effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz in the war with the U.S. and Israel, creating an oil supply crunch and sending global energy prices soaring.
bbc.com
Shoppers feel crunch as price of produce climbs
The conflict in the Middle East is impacting the price of tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers in the UK.
theguardian.com
Could Trump be forced out of office? – podcast
This week, despite securing a temporary ceasefire with Iran, there were calls from both the left and the right to invoke the 25th amendment of the US constitution to remove Donald Trump from office.Jonathan Freedland speaks to the Guardian’s Washington bureau chief, David Smith, about the various ways Congress could remove Trump from the White HouseArchive: ABC News, Fox News, Tucker Carlson, France 24 Continue reading...
cnbc.com
China factory prices return to growth after 3 years, beating expectations on surging oil prices
China faces possible inflationary spillovers, though its massive strategic stockpiling onshore and diversified sources of energy provided some cushion.
theguardian.com
Gabrielle Chan on farmers managing fuel and fertiliser shortages during a war - podcast
Journalist, author and farmer Gabrielle Chan speaks to Guardian Australia political editor Tom McIlroy about the experiences of rural and regional Australians whose work and everyday life have been upended by supply chain disruptions caused by the war in Iran.The former political reporter also talks about the rise in Pauline Hanson’s popularity ahead of the Farrer byelection, which is expected to be a strong contest between a One Nation and independent candidate Continue reading...
bbc.com
White House staff told not to place bets on prediction markets
The gambling platforms have grown in popularity, with some users making wagers on conflicts.
theguardian.com
Why the UK banned Kanye West - podcast
Lanre Bakare on the UK government’s decision to revoke Kanye West’s visa after Wireless festival booked him as a headlinerWhen Kanye West was announced as the headliner for Wireless festival in London this summer, the backlash was immediate.“He’d been on a campaign of four or five years of antisemitic trolling,” Lanre Bakare, the Guardian’s arts and culture correspondent, tells Nosheen Iqbal. “Embracing neo-Nazi imagery, pushing out far-right conspiracy theories about Jewish people.” Continue reading...
bbc.com
TV for dogs booms but are they watching?
TV channels for dogs are multiplying but research is mixed on whether dogs are watching.
bbc.com
Hot in the city: Energy crisis tests Singapore's air-con addiction
The rise in energy prices has hit Asia particularly hard as many nations are heavily reliant on Gulf oil.
bbc.com
OpenAI pauses UK data centre deal over energy costs and regulation
The project was part of a package of tech investment promising the UK could become an AI superpower.
bbc.com
Petrol and diesel prices rise again as concerns grow over ceasefire
Motoring groups have warned drivers not to expect a significant drop in costs soon.
cnbc.com
Automatic U.S. military draft registration planned by December, filing shows
The proposed timetable for automatic military draft registration came weeks after the U.S. and Israel launched a war against Iran.
theguardian.com
The daughters of Dominican immigrants achieved the American dream. They’re bringing sweet chocolate success back to the homeland
Janett and Erika Liriano built a chocolate factory in their parents’ homeland – and gave farmers a stake in the companyJanett and Erika Liriano grew up in Queens, the daughters of Dominican immigrants who pushed them to dream big. Their encouragement paid off: by the time they were in their late 20s, Janett had been named a Forbes 30 Under 30 Listmaker and was the chief of staff at a biopharmaceutical firm; younger sister Erika was making a name for herself in venture capital.But something was missing. “We were both comfortable but not happy with our jobs,” Janett said. “I felt unfulfilled and anxiously wanted to move forward.” But towards what, she wasn’t sure. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
The Iran war is a warning: Britain must build resilience – at home and with our allies in Europe | Keir Starmer
We should not be at the mercy of events abroad. That’s why, from energy to defence to key social policies, we aim to remake our countryIsrael’s attacks on Lebanon should not be happening, says Keir StarmerBritain has been buffeted by crises for nearly two decades now. And from the 2008 financial crash, through austerity, to Brexit, Covid, the Ukraine war and Liz Truss, the response from Westminster has always been the same. Manage the crisis, find a sticking plaster and then desperately try to reassert the status quo.This time, it will be different. The war in Iran must now become a line in the sand, because how we emerge from this crisis will define all of us for a generation. And instead of hoping to return to the world of 2008, we will forge a new path for Britain – one that strengthens our energy, our defence and our economic security in a new age. Because the reality is the world has changed: no longer do we live in the benign conditions found during the early part of this century. The world today is more volatile and dangerous than at any other point in my lifetime. That will test and test again every element of our security. And over the years, that is a test for which Britain has too often been found wanting.Keir Starmer is the UK prime ministerDo you have an opinion on the issues raised in this article? If you would like to submit a response of up to 300 words by email to be considered for publication in our letters section, please click here. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
The Guardian view on reversing the two-child benefit limit: a moment to celebrate | Editorial
More is needed to tackle inequality and deprivation in Britain, but the importance of this week’s step must be recognisedFairness was what the then chancellor George Osborne said he was aiming at when he introduced the two‑child benefit cap. Each child costs a family more, he argued, and yet only some consider the full costs when family planning. It was an ungenerous take, reducing the complex reasons why people might have larger families to poor choices and welfare incentivisation, and ignoring the impact of events beyond their control, such as illness. If Mr Osborne wanted to change behaviour, he failed: 11 years after the limit for child‑linked benefits was announced, poorer people haven’t had fewer children, they have just suffered more. Above all, his policy punished children, who made no decision at all about the number of their siblings.This was the legacy: 350,000 children pushed into poverty and another 700,000 deeper into deprivation. Affected households were more likely to be among the poorest universal credit claimants. A disproportionate number were Muslim and Jewish. Children went without new uniforms or extracurricular activities and families skipped meals – all in the name of fairness.Do you have an opinion on the issues raised in this article? If you would like to submit a response of up to 300 words by email to be considered for publication in our letters section, please click here. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Amazon upsets ebook lovers by ending support for old Kindle devices
Up to 2m e-readers made before 2013 will no longer be able to download new titlesAmazon is to stop supporting older Kindle models leaving longtime ebook fans unable to access new content from the Kindle store.Devices released during or before 2012 will no longer receive updates from 20 May, affecting owners of older Kindles, including the earliest models such as the Touch and some Fire tablets. It is thought that 2m e-readers could be affected.Kindle: Kindle 1st generation (2007), Kindle DX and DX Graphite (2009 and 2010), Kindle Keyboard (2010), Kindle 4 (2011), Kindle Touch (2011), Kindle 5 (2012) and Kindle Paperwhite 1st generation (2012).Kindle Fire: Kindle Fire 1st generation (2011), Kindle Fire 2nd generation (2012), Kindle Fire HD 7 (2012), Kindle Fire HD 8.9 (2012). Continue reading...
theguardian.com
‘Mental breakdown’: oil tanker workers stuck in Gulf for six weeks are reaching their limit
Seafarer tells of ‘impossible’ situation, with strait still so unsafe that crew would not cross even if told to sailMaritime and port workers: how is the Middle East conflict affecting you?‘You can try to minimise the impact that this situation has on your mental health but it’s becoming impossible.” After six weeks stranded in the Gulf, one of the 20,000 seafarers trapped by Iran’s chokehold on the strait of Hormuz is reaching their limit.Yet with the fragile Middle East ceasefire already fraying, the oil tanker worker – who first spoke to the Guardian a month ago – said any hope they may soon be free to leave had already evaporated, if it ever felt real at all. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
UK to give £380m grant to Tata battery factory in Somerset
Investment in plant due to supply batteries to Jaguar Land Rover expected to boost economic growth and secure jobsThe Somerset battery factory due to supply Jaguar Land Rover is to receive £380m in UK government funding as it pushes ahead with construction despite delays.JLR, Britain’s largest automotive employer, is due to receive batteries from the site to make electric versions of its Range Rover and Jaguar models. The Indian conglomerate Tata owns JLR and the electric vehicle (EV) battery factory under its Agratas subsidiary. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Lidl to open 50 UK stores in year ahead – and its first pub
Almost 2,000 jobs will be created, with retailer vying to overtake Morrisons as Britain’s fifth largest supermarket Lidl is to open 50 new UK stores in the year ahead – as well as its first pub – as it aims to overtake Morrisons as the country’s fifth largest supermarket chain.The German-owned retailer has begun building a pub in east Belfast in response to strict local licensing laws that cap the number of premises that can sell alcohol. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Meta debuts new AI model in first test of costly ‘superintelligence’ team
Muse Spark was competitive with models from OpenAI, Google and Anthropic in language, but lagged in codingSign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxMeta on Wednesday unveiled Muse Spark, the first artificial intelligence model from a costly team it assembled last year to catch up with rivals in the AI race.US tech companies are under pressure to prove their huge AI outlays will pay off. The stakes are especially high for Meta after it hired Alex Wang, Scale AI CEO, last year in a $14.3bn deal and offered some engineers pay packages of hundreds of millions of dollars to staff a new “superintelligence” team, an attempt to propel itself back into the AI world’s top ranks after a disappointing showing with its Llama 4 models early last year. Superintelligence refers to AI machines that could outthink humans. Muse Spark is the first in a new series of models, known internally as Avocado, from that team. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Trump and the Middle East: can Starmer do anything? – podcast
Keir Starmer and the UK government are scrabbling to keep up with Trump’s fast-changing position on Iran and the Middle East. While a two-week ceasefire is in place, how long will it hold for? Peter Walker and Alexandra Topping look at what happens now. And, with the local election campaign under way, how are the different parties responding to the conflict?Guardian Live: Can Labour come back from the brink?With a difficult set of May elections approaching, Labour under threat from both the Green party and Reform, and Keir Starmer’s popularity in freefall, can he survive as leader of the Labour party? The Guardian’s Gaby Hinsliff will chair our panel of Guardian columnists including Polly Toynbee, Rafael Behr and Zoe Williams.Join us as they discuss Starmer, Labour and the upcoming May byelections. They will also be answering your own questions. Get your tickets here Continue reading...
bbc.com
Jo Malone hopes 'sense will prevail' in lawsuit over her name
The British perfume designer and Zara are being sued by Estée Lauder over a collaboration.
theguardian.com
Gentleman’s Relish is toast after its maker axes the pungent anchovy spread
Falling sales end production of condiment created in 1828 – but London restaurant Simpson’s keeps it on the menuFans of traditional British cuisine were heartbroken by news that Gentleman’s Relish was being discontinued by its manufacturer.But Jeremy King, who last month reopened Simpson’s in the Strand, has instructed his chef to create a version of the pungent anchovy-based condiment almost identical to the real thing for the 198-year-old London restaurant. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Jo Malone ‘surprised and sad’ after being sued for £200,000 for using her name on fragrances
Estée Lauder Companies claims Zara collaboration with perfumer breaches long-standing naming agreementThe British perfumer Jo Malone has said she is “surprised and very sad” after being sued for more than £200,000 in damages for using her name on fragrances she created for the fashion chain Zara.It emerged last month that New York-based multinational Estée Lauder Companies, which owns brands M.A.C, Bobbi Brown, Estée Lauder and Jo Malone London, was taking legal action, claiming the fragrance entrepreneur infringed trademarks. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Buy bread in the evening, hit the sales on a Tuesday: retail workers’ top tips to cut your shopping bill
From the ideal time to go discount-sticker shopping to the best day of the week to visit charity shops, industry insiders offer their advice on how to keep costs down as prices riseFrom supermarkets’ yellow-stickered items to apps for free food, there are many ways to lower your shopping bill amid the cost of living crisis. Retail workers share their insider info on how to save money at grocery stores, street markets and charity shops. Continue reading...
bbc.com
Lidl begins building its first ever pub
The development is an unusual consequence of Northern Ireland's strict licensing laws.
theguardian.com
It shouldn’t take a war for Britain to wake up to the need for food security | Tim Lang
Everyone has a part to play in reducing our reliance on imported foods, but ministers must provide incentivesTim Lang is professor emeritus of food policy at the Centre for Food Policy, City St George’s, University of LondonThe British state has form on food security. It ignores it until there’s a crisis – and then it’s forced to do rapidly what could have been done better, if only food had been taken more seriously in the first place. We’re revisiting this truth today as the food system’s oil dependency is revealed by the US-Israel war on Iran. Oil transports the food from farm to fork. It’s turned into the fertilisers that have allowed food production to rise since the second world war. It takes us to the shops (unless we walk or cycle).This dependency was also revealed when Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, and when oil hit $100 a barrel in 2008, and in the 1970s oil shock. When the chancellor, Rachel Reeves, and the environment secretary, Emma Reynolds, called the big food retailers in last week, it showed they were aware of this impact but weren’t prepared for what to do.Tim Lang is professor emeritus of food policy at the Centre for Food Policy, City St George’s, University of London Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Iran oil shock stirs memories of 1997 Asian Financial Crisis — but here’s why history may not repeat itself
The Hormuz disruption is hammering Asian economies with surging energy costs and weakening currencies, but a repeat of the crisis three decades ago is unlikely.
cnbc.com
Fast food, faster charging? BYD and KFC China collaborate to offer 9-minute refueling stations
BYD announced Wednesday a partnership with KFC China to develop a network of "nine-minute" drive-thrus across the mainland.
bbc.com
UK farmers warn Iran ceasefire too late to stop higher food costs
Despite a ceasefire, the Iran war will continue to affect farmers' costs and therefore food prices.
theguardian.com
‘I’ve not had proper food for days’: migrant workers leave India’s cities as Iran war fuel crisis deepens
Gas shortages and rising food prices mean many who came to the capital for work cannot afford to eat. Going home is now their only optionAt 9am on a Saturday, 35-year-old Raju Prasad rushes through Anand Vihar railway station in Delhi, a heavy bag slung over his shoulder. Beside him, his wife clutches their youngest daughter with one arm and a white plastic bucket with the other. Their three other children trail behind – one dragging a trolley bag, the others holding on to whatever little they can manage. With Prasad’s brother, the family of seven is leaving for Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh.They had moved to India’s capital nine months ago. The couple worked as ragpickers and were paid about 500 rupees a day (about £4), working long 10-hour shifts. But any dreams of building a more secure future in Delhi and sending their children to school have been lost, as rising food costs and the impact of the Middle East crisis on fuel availability and prices have meant the past few weeks have been a fight for basic survival. Now they are moving back to their village. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Ed Miliband hold firm! North sea oil and gas drilling won’t help anyone other than Nigel Farage | Zoe Williams
It’s worrying to watch Labour entertain Reform’s fantasies about fossil fuels. Only renewables will bring lower bills and higher energy securityEd Miliband is facing a dilemma, apparently. Reform UK is suggesting new oil and gas licences in the North Sea as a way to cut fuel bills and they’re steadily gaining cheerleaders – not just in the media, but also in some trade unions.Labour – having swept into power on a green-friendly manifesto, much of which has already been abandoned, but the kernel of which was to prioritise green over fossil energy – is in a bind. It’s plain that fresh exploration of the North Sea would run counter to the party’s every principle, and particularly those of Miliband, whose legacy will be his career-long commitment to the scrappy, dogged, surely often tedious and dispiriting legislative fight against climate breakdown. And yet, equally plainly, the pressure from Nigel Farage is only going to get more intense: he has framed the issue of North Sea oil and gas versus renewables as an elemental fight between the common man and the elites. The wokerati doesn’t care about your cost of living crisis, while the hard right does. Continue reading...
bbc.com
How the Iran war affects your money and bills
The conflict in the Middle East has increased pressure on the cost of petrol, household energy bills and even food.
theguardian.com
How KFC, AKA Korean fried chicken, took over the world
The dish, adapted from one brought by US soldiers after the Korean war, has sparked thousands of variations and sits at the forefront of the K-food waveInside a teaching kitchen south-east of Seoul, I coat a whole chicken – cut into eight parts – in batter and dip the pieces carefully into a bowl of powdered mix until covered in a light, fluffy layer.A chef watches intently. “Don’t rub it,” he says. “Keep it delicate.” Continue reading...
bbc.com
The construction boss who built a new life after three years in prison
Traci Quinn, who was jailed for a drugs offence, has transformed herself and set up a successful firm.
theguardian.com
‘You can’t take that on the plane for free!’ How Ryanair turned its staff into bounty hunters
Ground staff earn €2.50 for every piece of oversized luggage that they intercept. Meanwhile, passengers who are caught out pay a much bigger penaltyName: Oversized cabin bags.Age: Venerable – but prior to the advent of airline cabins, they were simply known as “bags”. Continue reading...
bbc.com
Airlines cut flights and hike fares as fuel prices surge
Airlines have reduced services and lifted ticket costs as the Iran war weighs on jet fuel costs.
bbc.com
Why fuel and food prices could still be affected for months
Analysts fear long-lasting economic damage from the US-Israel war with Iran has already been set in motion.
bbc.com
Faisal Islam: Iran war pause is welcome but the economic scars will last
Allowing all ships through the Strait of Hormuz will calm markets but the war has created new problems.
theguardian.com
‘We can’t increase prices any more’: UK hospitality firms hit by cost triple blow
Struggling pubs reel from rising business rates, wages and energy bills, with customers at limit of what they will payNick Evans is staring in vain at columns of numbers, trying to make them add up to a profit. He is a co-owner of the Old Crown Coaching Inn in Faringdon, Oxfordshire, a pub and hotel whose rich history is etched into its crooked wooden beams and cosy snugs.Oliver Cromwell stayed here in 1645. A room believed to have been used by the notoriously severe “hanging judge” Lord Jeffreys to condemn rebels now stages happier encounters: it is the honeymoon suite. Continue reading...
bbc.com
UK house prices fall as Iran war uncertainty dampens demand
Mortgage rates have been rising and hundreds of the cheapest deals have disappeared over the last month.
bbc.com
What do businesses want ahead of the election?
Shops, cafes and restaurants in Cardigan say increasing costs and low footfall are making it harder.
bbc.com
Music giant Universal gets $64bn takeover offer
The music giant behind acts such as Taylor Swift and Sabrina Carpenter gets an offer from Bill Ackman's Pershing Square.
bbc.com
India's lack of widebody aircraft a 'scandal', says incoming IndiGo chief
India’s aviation market is set to grow but is held back by limited long-haul capacity, says Willie Walsh.
theguardian.com
‘This is about people’s livelihoods’: how surging tool thefts are leaving tradespeople penniless and afraid
More than 80% of the UK’s tradespeople have had tools stolen. Some have lost months of work as a result. With thefts up 16% in a year, can the police and the government do anything to protect them?If you’re on social media and have even a passing interest in home improvement, there’s a good chance you will have seen Kevin Tingley’s work. The 39-year-old decorator is known as Paint Warrior – and has millions of followers across TikTok and Instagram. He’s in demand, highly skilled, generous in sharing tips from his many years of experience and even has his own range of products on sale in the UK and the US.But even with his social media army and branded brushes, he’s still not immune to the biggest threat faced by British tradespeople: tool theft. “It was Boxing Day morning,” Tingley says. “I was still in bed, my wife was on her way to the gym. She came running back in and told me that all the doors of my van were open.” Continue reading...
bbc.com
The US refinery now processing Venezuelan oil
Chevron is now importing 250,000 barrels of crude per day from Venezuela.
bbc.com
Indian migrant workers hit by cooking gas shortages are leaving cities
Migrant workers say they are struggling to access cooking gas cylinders as the Iran war squeezes supplies.
bbc.com
Oil price fluctuates ahead of Trump's Iran deal deadline
The US president has threatened to take out Iran "in one night" if it does not agree to open the Strait of Hormuz.
theguardian.com
Why is the UK government capping student loan interest and will graduates now pay less?
Decision to cap interest rate at 6% in England and Wales from September is unlikely to defuse row over crippling cost of debtFull story: UK caps interest rate on student loansThe government has announced a small concession for millions of university graduates in England and Wales with “plan 2” student loans.However, the decision to cap the interest rate charged at 6% from September is unlikely to defuse the row over the crippling cost of degree course debts. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
UK government caps student loan interest rates at 6% from September
Minister says change for plan 2 and 3 loans in England and Wales will protect borrowers from impact of global conflictExplainer: what the rate cap means for graduatesMillions of graduates will have the interest on their student loans capped at 6% from September as a temporary measure to protect them from the risk of rising inflation driven by war in the Middle East.Ministers acted after months of criticism over the loans becoming a “debt trap” that often leave graduates in England and Wales paying tens of thousands more than the original loan amount. Continue reading...
bbc.com
Plan 2 student loan interest rates capped at 6% in England
The cap on Plan 2 and postgraduate loan interest rates comes amid a risk of rising inflation.
bbc.com
Price of first class stamp rises to £1.80
The rise come as the postal service faces criticism over missing delivery targets.
theguardian.com
My mother has been overpaid her civil service pension and ordered to repay it
Through no fault of their own, she faces repaying £100 a month until she is 93 or face legal actionMy 66-year-old mother has been told that she has been overpaid her civil service pension by £40,000 and must repay it, or face legal action. Once the tax she’s paid on the income is deducted, she owes £32,000.Her monthly pension payments have now been cut, which means her annual income will fall from £19,700 to £12,000, and she was, additionally, ordered to repay £496 a month for five years. This was later reduced to £100 a month, and a charge was put on her house as security. She’s been told she will have paid everything she owes when she’s 93. Continue reading...
bbc.com
Businesses scramble to get noticed by AI search
Firms are changing the way they present information on their websites, so they get noticed by AI.
bbc.com
Spain's huge pork industry seeks salvation from swine fever threat
Countries around the world, including the US, have already stopped imports over the outbreak.
bbc.com
National Minimum Wage rises this week
Around 2.7 million people are set to receive a pay rise this week as the national minimum wage goes up by 50p to £12.71 for over 21s.
bbc.com
New laws to make it easier to cancel subscriptions
A crackdown on "subscription traps" could save the average person nearly £170 a year, according to the Department for Business and Trade.
bbc.com
How will car finance compensation payments work?
Millions could be entitled to compensation as a result of commission arrangements between lenders and dealers.
bbc.com
Are domes and spheres the future of entertainment?
Rivals are emerging for the Las Vegas Sphere - are domes and spheres the future for entertainment?
bbc.com
Why Chinese tech companies are racing to set up in Hong Kong
Mainland firms are using the territory to test products and as a springboard for global expansion.
bbc.com
The £5.30 orange juice that tells the story of why supermarket prices are sky high
Butter, chocolate, coffee and milk have all seen prices rocket. Tracing back through the story of one particular supermarket staple begins to explain why
bbc.com
'Affordability is the biggest thing' - Conservatives mixed on economy under Trump
Conservatives gathered at the annual CPAC conference in Texas were mixed when asked about their feelings on the current economy.
bbc.com
The spiky cactus fruit giving Indian farmers a cash boost
Indian farmers are turning to dragon fruit as a profitable alternative to mangoes and coffee.
bbc.com
Who knew Lord Sugar is a table tennis fan?
The Apprentice candidates try to sell a table tennis set live on TV.
bbc.com
Prepare for turbulence - how a prolonged Middle East conflict could reshape how we fly
The Gulf's hub airports made long-distance travel cheaper - but now their future looks unclear.
bbc.com
The homeless teenager who became a successful advertising boss
Greg Daily has swapped sleeping on friends' sofas for running a popular digital marketing company.
bbc.com
Would you build your own apps?
Start-ups are offering tech for novices to create apps with the help of AI.
bbc.com
US weight-loss drugmakers slash prices in fight to win customers
Weight-loss drug prices are falling in the US - but can the example be repeated?
bbc.com
Germany has a shortage of workers - so it's turning to India for help
The European nation, struggling to find skilled staff, is giving jobs to young people from India.
bbc.com
'Club vibes without the hangover': The twenty-somethings going out - in the gym
Young people are driving a gym boom as more fitness spaces are transformed into vibrant hangouts.
bbc.com
Home working, long leases and rise of parking apps - what went wrong for NCP
How could a company that charged as much as £65 for a day's parking fail to turn a profit?
bbc.com
Colombia's budding tech scene needs a cash boost
Colombia has become a tech hub for Latin America, but attracting investors is a challenge.
bbc.com
Sir John Curtice: Why Labour's Brexit focus has shifted from Leavers to Remainers
Will the pursuit of a closer relationship with the EU risk courting electoral disaster by alienating Brexit-backing voters?
bbc.com
How Finnish supermarkets are central to the country's defence
The chains all have detailed plans to follow in the event of the nation going to war.
cnbc.com
Register now: Applications open for the World's Top Fintech Companies 2026
CNBC and Statista chart the top fintech players from around the world, ranging from startups to Big Tech names.
bbc.com
The real impact of roadworks on the country - and why they're set to get worse
There is a fine balance between the benefits of improved infrastructure, versus the cost of disruption. Does the country have it right?
bbc.com
Why the railways often seem to be in such chaos over Christmas
Parts of Britain’s rail network will close for engineering work over the festive period - but is that the right time to do it?
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